waterwiseways

Garden Tips for the West Kimberley

INTRODUCTION

The West Kimberley region is recognised as one of

the world’s most beautiful, yet harshest environments.

Unchanged for millions of years, the plants and animals

have managed to survive extreme conditions of heat

and cold. Growing a garden in this region can be quite

challenging. The most critical aspect to gardening in

the West Kimberley is maintaining a good supply of

water and local knowledge on how much should be

used effectively.

This brochure has been put together by horticulture

experts to help you make correct choices on plants

for your garden. It explains how to grow a huge array

of plants and grass types by using less water and still

achieve great results.

CLIMATE AND GARDENING ENVIRONMENT

Temperature

Temperatures across the region are consistently high

and summer temperature averages range between 34°C

to 38°C, with the June to August period presenting an

average range of 26°C to 29°C. Extremes in temperature

are regularly recorded between 0°C and 46°C plus.

Rainfall

The climate of the region is arid, semi-desert with

relatively high rainfall between January and March,

reducing to smaller showers between April and June of

around 3mm to 10mm. The rainfall is mostly seasonal,

Aloe

posing signifi cant challenges to gardeners in the months

when there is often no rainfall at all (June-September).

Wind

Wind can play a major role in affecting both plant growth

and the amount of water needed. Winds vary by season

and location in the West Kimberley and the cyclonic

winds experienced between January and March can

signifi cantly set back many plant varieties. It’s wise to

establish wind breaks or barriers to protect plants and

reduce the effects of soil evaporation.

Soil types

Soil types in the region vary, although pindan red loam

and gravel or heavy stone baked loam makes up the

basis of most soils throughout this region. These soils

should be blended using compost and gypsum to make

them suitable for successfully growing plants not native

to the region. Growing local plants is the most effective

way to establish a water-effi cient garden.

GARDEN DESIGN AND STYLE

Garden styles can have a major infl uence on the amount

of water used. Plant selection is also critical and there

are many other regions of the world that experience

similar environmental conditions. Various plants from

these regions have developed adaptations such as

water storage capabilities or hibernation abilities during

extreme conditions, making these plants ideal for the

West Kimberley. When establishing a new garden it is

important to consider factors such as evaporation, wind

Bougainvillea 'Penelope'

and soil erosion, water features, mulching, watering

systems and selecting the right plants.

Reducing evaporation

A key factor to any design is the creation of a sun and

wind protected environment. This reduces evaporation

caused by heat and wind and increases humidity,

resulting in lusher and stronger growth. Almost every

garden can achieve this by:

~ Creating large perimeter hedges.

~ Use of trees and palms to shade the garden.

~ The addition of a pergola, shade sails/cloth,

gazebos and patio structures.

~ Placing structures such as sheds around the

outside perimeter of the garden/property to create

protected positions within the garden.

~ Positioning buildings on windward sides of the

property to assist in breaking down the major

prevailing winds.

Styles of garden suitable to this region

Selecting a garden style when planning your new

garden can deliver conformity and structure in its fi nal

appearance. Styles that feature waterwise plants and

water effi cient gardening techniques include:

~ Mediterranean

~ Local native plants

~ Tropical and edible plants

Bush Poinciana

Many home gardens are a hybrid of different styles and

breaking your garden into segments or mixing styles can

create an aesthetically pleasing blend. However, it is

vital that the plants are grouped together by water usage

requirements to minimise wastage.

Water features

These are becoming a popular component of many

Australian gardens. Positioning your water feature in a

shaded location will assist in reducing evaporation. This

will lower temperatures by as much as 8°C. Whenever

possible, water features, including ponds, should be

fi lled or topped up with natural rainfall, ideally from

roof overfl ow or drainage redirection. Keeping the water

surface area to a minimum and including water plants

reduces evaporation.

Retrofi tting your existing garden to be waterwise

Consider retrofi tting your garden by transplanting

plants into more suitable water requirement groups

and plant others that will assist in the creation of

micro-communities. It is worthwhile replacing your old

reticulation system with a modern watering device that

delivers a precise number of water droplets direct to the

roots of the plant without spray or misting.

Improving the garden environment

While there are a huge range of introduced plant species

capable of growing in the region, the West Kimberley is a

bit more restricted in the varieties suitable for domestic

cultivation. Reducing evaporation through the creation of

Crown of Thorns

microclimates and extensive use of mulches will reduce

the demand for watering.

Wind protection

Adding wind protection devices such as shade cloth or

hessian wraps around new and establishing trees and

shrubs is critical to encouraging fast initial growth. This also

reduces wind induced evaporation and the need to water.

Soil conditioning

Native species will usually grow in natural soil without

any additional organic matter. When planting exotic

species, adding a composted soil into the planting hole

will greatly benefi t the establishment and growth of

the plant. It is important to use a premium quality soil

improver. Look for the Australian Standard's fi ve tick red

mark that identifi es premium quality blends.

Where possible, mounding or raising garden beds using

a richly organic soil is benefi cial and these types of

garden beds will be less susceptible to saturation during

heavy rains. The open, free-draining nature of the soil

improver mixed at a 50/50 ratio with the garden soil

type will encourage rapid establishment of a deeper root

system requiring less water. Organically enriched garden

soils retain moisture and nutrients around the plant’s

root system longer, resulting in stronger growth.

Hing Kong Orchid Tree

Mulching

There are many different types of mulches available.

Within densely planted garden beds, it is better to use

composted organic products.

~ Compost - Organic mulches vary by locality and often

by the availability of organic material. Most organic

materials can be successfully turned into compost,

and home scraps and garden vegetation can be

used to create compost suitable for using as surface

mulch. Green waste or shredded tree clippings

make excellent surface mulch for garden beds once

composted. Coco peat, a product derived from

coconut production and available in compressed

blocks from nurseries, is also an economical way to

reduce surface evaporation.

~ Rocks and stones - Stones, pebbles and coarse sand

are also considered as mulch and can be used

in shaded locations. They should not be used as

surface mulch in full sun garden beds. This practise

will intensely heat the soil during the day, causing

rapid drying of the surface of the soil where feeder

roots grow. The rocks will continue to conduct heat

in the evening, maintaining high levels of evaporation

and subsequent watering requirements to sustain

most exotic garden plants.

~ Combination of mulching - Use a 200mm-thick layer

of composted organic matter as a surface cover on

all external garden beds where plants are to grow. In

other areas stones, pebbles, rock, gravel and coarse

sand will look good and smother seasonal weeds.

Variegated Pandanus

WATER-EFFICIENT PRACTICES AND SYSTEMS

An effi cient watering system is vitally important to

deliver water in the appropriate volumes for specifi c

garden needs. Technology continually improves in direct

delivery irrigation systems and specialist irrigation outlets

offer important advice for anyone considering adding a

watering system to their garden.

Watering for lawns

Lawns are best watered using subsurface irrigation

systems which deliver water direct to the lawn’s root

system. These systems are installed under the turf

before it is laid or can be cut into the surface of existing

lawn areas. If your system uses pop-up sprinklers,

converting to low volume stream sprinklers should be

considered. These sprinklers deliver water in a more

direct manner instead of mist droplets that often blow

away. While lawns are important to a garden’s aesthetic

appeal, they do use large amounts of water. Try to keep

lawn areas to a minimum.

Watering for plants

Plants should be watered using direct delivery irrigation

systems. The most effective garden bed watering systems

for use in the West Kimberley are dribblers, drippers and

subsurface inline irrigators. These sprinklers deliver water

direct to the base of the plant and the water soaks the soil

directly below the plant. This encourages roots to follow

the water down deeply into the soil, reducing the chances

of the plant becoming water stressed when the topsoil

dries on the hottest days.

Direct Delivery Watering System

SELECTING PLANTS FOR THE WEST KIMBERLEY

A critical factor when establishing a waterwise garden,

is plant selection and how the plants will be grouped

together. Obtaining advice of a professional gardener or

landscaper will assist in the right plant placement and

structure of your garden.

~ Strategic placement around the garden’s external

boundaries will shield the garden from winds and

cool on hot days, protect plants from the extremes

and create a microclimate where many different plant

species will grow well.

~ Cluster plantings where the same or mixed

varieties are grouped closely together by their water

requirements. A watering system should be designed

to provide different amounts of water to each plant

grouping, reducing the waste that occurs with

over watering.

~ Microclimates are created when plants are grouped

in this way, which assists in reducing evaporation.

These protected mini communities create wind

breaks and raise humidity. Native trees play a critical

role in protecting plants below the canopy from the

harshest of hot days, cooling the garden and also the

home environment, reducing the need for power for

air conditioners.

Waterwise Planting

PLANTS SUITABLE FOR THE WEST KIMBERLEY REGION

Following is a selection of proven plant species to

consider adding to your garden. Under ‘Water Needs’,

one drop plants are the most water effi cient with two

drop plants requiring more water to survive.

More information on these plant varieties can be gained

online by visiting www.watercorporation.com.au

Plant selection

Common Name Botanical Name Native/Exotic

Water Needs

Trailing Lantana Lantana montevidensis E 1

Native Jasmine or Bower of Beauty

Pandorea jasminoides N 1

Moses in the Cradle

Tradescantia spathacea E 2

Sago Palm Cycas revoluta E 1

Triangle Palm Dypsis decaryi E 1

Foxtail Palm Wodyetia bifurcata N 2

Palms

Millstream Fan Palm

Livistona alfredii N 1

Cardboard Palm Zamia furfuracea E 1

Hibiscus Pendunculatum

Growth Habit Description

200mm groundcover Available in mauve and white fl owering forms. Hardy, low growing colourful groundcover for a full sun position.

Vigorous spreader to 5m

Twining vine with large bunches of pink trumpet fl owers.

Groundcover Clumping groundcover, ideal for shaded positions.

Compact Cycad 2m Architectural feature plant, ideal for pots, full sun or shaded garden positions.

Palm to 7m A full sun, drought tolerant palm with grey green foliage and an unusual triangle shaped crown.

Specimen palm to 10m

An outstanding specimen palm, suitable for small or large garden areas. Deep succulent roots allow it to survive long dry periods with little ill effect.

Palm to 10m Compact fan palm, capable of growing through long dry periods without detrimental effect. Broad fan-shaped foliage.

Clumping cycad 2m Compact clumping cycad, ideal for pots and full sun garden positions.

Madagascan Periwinkle

Common Name Botanical Name Native/Exotic

Water Needs

Golden Cane Palm

Chrysalidocarpus lutescens

E 2

Wonga Wonga Vine

Pandorea pandorana N 1

Dwarf Coconut Palm

Cocos nucifera E 1

Climbers and Decorative Foliage

Dwarf Oleander Nerium oleander nana E 1

Oleander Nerium oleander E 1

Fijian Fire Bush Acalypha wilkonsonii E 2

African Daisy Osteospermum ecklonis E 1

Bougainvillea Bougainvillea glabra E 1

Dwarf Bougainvillea

Bougainvillea glabra nana

E 1

Geranium Pelargonium zonale Hybrid Cultivars

E 1

Vinca Catharanthus rosea Hybrid Cultivars

E 1

Portulaca Portulaca grandifl ora Hybrid Cultivars

E 1

Day Lily Hemerocallis cv. E 1

Moses in a Cradle, Tradescantia Spathacea

Growth Habit Description

Clumping palm 6m Tough palm for full sun or part shade garden positions.

Vigorous spreader to 6m

Glossy foliage, small trumpet fl owers in large bunches. Colours vary from pink through yellow.

Palm to 5m Smaller growing coconut palm for use in a full sun position.

Shrub to 1m Very hardy, low growing shrub.

Shrub to 4m Excellent screening or windbreak plant. Dense growing, extremely hardy with very low water requirements once established.

Shrub to 3m This plant comes with several different species and cultivars growing in different colours and sizes.

Flat growth to 60cm Fast spreading growth, lush green foliage, brightly-coloured fl owers as well as its drought tolerance make these popular.

Climber to 5m One of the most rewarding, hardiest fl owering climbing plants available to West Kimberley gardeners.

Shrub to 1m New compact forms of this popular climber that have a shrub-like habit, remaining compact and fl owering for 9 months of the year.

Upright annual to 1m Many different fl ower colours available, this can make a showy bedding plant. Drought tough.

Upright, small shrub-like plants to 50cm

Heat loving bedding plant in a range of fl ower colours. Can set own seed or survive winter to fl ower again the following summer.

Spreading groundcover to 30cm

Summer season annual with fl owers in electric colours.

Grassy-looking plant to 40cm

Drought tough fl owering lily that can also handle being inundated for part of the year. Many colours available in fl owers.

Vinca

Common Name Botanical Name Native/Exotic

Water Needs

Climbers

Border Silver Dianella

Dianella ensifolia ‘Border Silver’

E 1

Blue Garlic Vine Cydista aequinoctialis E 1

Little Jess Dianella Dianella cv. ‘Little Jess’ N 1

Miniature Mat Rush

Lomandra cv.‘Tanika’ N 1

Fig Ficus carica E 1

Carob Ceratonia siliqua E 1

Chinese Date Zizphus jujuba E 1

Jungle Flame Ixora coccinea E 2

Bismarck Palm Bismarckia nobilis E 1

Tress and Shrubs

Hills Fig Ficus hilli E 1

Weeping Fig Ficus benjimina E 2

Pride of Barbados

Growth Habit Description

Grassy, clumping plant to 60cm

Tough, attractive strap-leaf plant with cream variegation. An excellent border plant. Tiny purple fl ower spikes.

Climber to 2m Outstanding fl owering climber, producing mauve-pink fl owers with garlic fragrance.

Grassy, clumping plant to 60cm

Rich green foliage and a compact habit make this tough plant a classy choice for a border.

Grassy clumping plant to 60cm

Dwarf grass with bright green fi ne foliage and white fl ower clusters. Can handle seasonal fl ooding as well as drought times.

Spreading tree to 4m Deciduous tree for tough locations, bearing fruit in summer.

Spreading tree to 6m Evergreen tree with foliage that can be stock feed and edible pods in late summer.

Very hardy to 6m Deciduous tree, heat and cold hardy, bearing olive-shaped fruit in summer with an apple fl avour.

Hedging shrub to 1m A popular sub tropical shrub ideal for both sunny and semi shaded positions. Very hardy once established.

Fan palm to 20m A magnifi cent feature palm, often producing striking grey-blue foliage. Producing a deep tap root, this is incredibly waterwise once established.

Large, spreading tree to 20m

A grand specimen with deep green foliage and a spreading crown. An excellent shade tree that will dramatically cool the garden.

Large, spreading tree to 18m

A magnifi cent weeping foliage tree that makes a wonderful feature specimen in a larger garden. Can also be used as a pot plant indoors and outdoors, full sun and shade.

Wattle

Common Name Botanical Name Native/Exotic

Water Needs

Cotton Wood Hibiscus tileaceous rubra E 2

Firecracker Plant Russellia equisitiformis E 1

Lilyturf Liriope muscari E 2

Evergreen Frangipani

Plumeria obtusa E 1

Red Butterfl y Bush

Bauhinia galpini E 1

Golden Trumpet Allamanda cathartica E 2

Crown of Thorns Euphorbia milli E 1

Twin Leaf Bloodwood

Corymbia cadophora N 1

Variegated Pandanus

Pandanus veitchii variegata

E 1

Blue Water Lily Nymphaea violacea N

Boab Adansonia gregorii N 1

Purple Mulla Mulla

Ptilotus exaltatus N 1

The Blue Garlic Vine

Growth Habit Description

Small tree to 5m A tough coastal tree, producing burgundy-red foliage and ideally used as a screening plant or garden backdrop.

Compact shrub to 1m An excellent cascading growth habit, with red tubular fl owers produced in the thousands. There is also a cream version available. Ideal for full sun positions.

Clumping, strap-leaf 500mm

A very tough strap-leaf plant producing attractive fl owers followed by purple berries.

Small tree to 6m Outstanding fl owering tree, with dark green foliage all year round and white heavenly fragrant fl owers for 10 months.

Spreading shrub to 2m Prolifi c fl owering shrub, with an extensive deep root system and capable of surviving long periods without watering.

Shrub to 2m Exceptionally beautiful yellow fl owering climber with lush emerald green foliage.

Succulent shrub to 500mm

Tough compact shrub, ideal for gardens in full sun or pot culture. Flowers all year round in a range of colours from cream, yellow to red.

Compact tree to 8m Outstanding broad leaf foliage tree, with huge clusters of fl owers ranging in colour from pink through to red.

Branching shrub to 4m

An outstanding feature shrub, with magnifi cent creamy-yellow foliage variegations. Ideal as a large shrubbery plant.

Pond plant Native water lily, growing best in this climate.

Unique tree The iconic plant of the Kimberley region. Slow growing but very attractive as an immature small sized tree.

Herbaceous plant to 1m max

Prolifi c fl owering wildfl ower that makes a superb display when planted on mass in January from seed.

Tropical Grevillea

TURF AND GROUNDCOVERS

Lawn varieties suitable for the West Kimberley

~ Paspalum - a coastal grass which is a succulent,

low-lying, turf type grass that thrives in the warm

season. It’s capable of growing near very salty water

and performs better than most grass types in hot,

humid environments.

~ Couch grass - an ideal grass type for most garden

situations and the toughest varieties are ‘Wintergreen’

and ‘Windsor Green’, with the latter having a

particularly deep and wiry root system.

~ Zoysia grass - fast becoming one of the most popular

turf grasses overseas because of its waterwise

traits. Capable of surviving summer without added

water, it becomes dormant and regenerates with the

fi rst rains.

~ Buffalo grass - is recognised as one of the most

waterwise varieties available to home gardeners.

Best varieties for this region include ‘Palmetto’ and

‘Sir Walter’.

Waterlily

Groundcovers/grass alternatives

~ Lippia (Phyla nodifl ora) - covers the ground like a

mat. It is a perennial, broadleaf herb, with grey-green

leaves 10mm to 20mm long. Each tiny leaf has two

or three serrations on each side. Lippia produces

numerous small, round lilac fl owers. The plant has

a taproot up to 2 metres deep, allowing it to survive

long, dry periods.

~ Kidney weed (Dichondra repen) - excellent

groundcover for shaded and sunny positions.

The extensive root system helps the plant survive

drought conditions.

~ Silver falls (Dichondra argentea) - exotic species of

Dichondra capable of growing strongly in a full-sun

position, as well as in semi-shaded gardens.

Best planting seasons

The best time of the year for planting in the West

Kimberley is when the traditional rainy season arrives

(November – February). Planting should be done from

December through to March to get the best from high

soil moisture levels.

Variegated Lily Turf

We hope this brochure has been helpful in assisting

you with ideas on how to establish and maintain a

waterwise garden.

Remember, the Water Corporation has lots of ways

you can save water, both in the home and around

your garden.

Simply call the Waterwise Infoline on 13 10 39 or visit

our website at www.watercorporation.com.au

waterwiseways